Besides being a very old and privileged friend of the famous and popular comedian, I have had the pleasure of being associated with him in business, having composed the music for _Mr. Guffin's Elopement_ and _The Great Tay-kins_, written by Arthur Law, and produced at Toole's theatre. Toole is fond of stories about other people. Here is one about him. Not being a musician, and not being a quick study, it becomes no easy task to drum a song, or especially duet, into his head. In _The Great Tay-kins_ there was a "one-line-each" duet between him and Mr. E. D. Ward. I could not get Toole to get the rhythm right. He kept saying it was all right, but it was not. This is what it ought to have been: [image] This is how Toole first got it: [image] After a dozen rehearsals of these few bars, he got it thus: The company were in roars of laughter; but Toole struggled on perfectly seriously until he got it. He was then as pleased as Punch, and insisted on my lunching with him, an invitation I was not likely to refuse. The following is from Sir Algernon Borthwick, who was my proposer for the Garrick Club: _Morning Post_, _February 17th_, 1883. Dear Grossmith,--You were elected this afternoon, not only unanimously, but with warmest expressions of welcome and goodwill. I never saw so cordial and sympathetic an election. Sincerely yours, ALGERNON BORTHWICK. ------ _March 29th_, 1882. My dear Grossmith,--If you are not too tired, and have no better engagement, will you come up and see my "show"--all portraits (Chamber of Horrors)--before they go to the R.A. on Friday evening? The usual business--not dress. Yours sincerely, FRANK HOLL. ------ _From_ Mrs. JOHN WOOD. 23 Gordon Square, W.C., _July 10th_, Midnight. My dear George,--I cannot go to rest to-night without thanking you really and truly for your invaluable help this afternoon, and for the very graceful courtesy you have shown through the entire affair. I can only say if at any time I can do anything for you, you will confer a favour on me by asking it. Your dear little wife cheered me by saying she and everybody were very pleased with us, and I don't think she would have said so if she hadn't meant it. So good-night to you both, and God bless you. Your faithful friend, MATILDA WOOD. The following, from George M. du Maurier, the incomparable _Punch_ artist, has reference to the death of "Chang," the enormous dog which he possessed, and which he so often immortalised on the pages of the above periodical: New Grove House, Hampstead Heath.